Show Income Tax Defended byG byG by G Humphrey A number of our field personnel have reported considerable interest interest inter inter- est on the part of ot the taxpayIng public as to the attitude of the treasury and the revenue service toward statements by former Reve Reven Rev Rev- e en n u e Commissioner Andrews which In effect ask the elimina elimination elimination tion of the Income tax as a reve reve- raising nue-raising device The Washington Washing Washing- ton headquarters of the Revenue Service also has received numerous numerous numerous numer numer- ous letters and direct inquiries on the subject Treasury Secretary G George ear g e Humphry in an appearance before the National Press Club In Wash ington on May 24 was asked Do you think there Is any validity to th the position of T T. Colman Andrews Andrewson on the Income tax Secretary Humphrey answered I want to see taxes reduced as much as anybody 1 t think they must be over a period of time for forthe forthe forthe the best Interest of this country But I t know of no way in which we can raise the money we need for our security and for the services that the public demands without some kind of or an income tax You Vou can It There vary may I Ivery very well be some very valid sug lug There probably are I changes that could be made to Improve improve im Im- Im I prove the situation But there is no way that you can eliminate an income tax and raise the amount of money we now have to have If we are going to have an In Income Income income In- In come tax then I think it Is unfortunate un un- un fortunate to have the fairness of the tax the existence or the tax questioned when so many honest straightforward American people are burdening themselves to pay their share hare of running this country and protecting It It Secretary Humphry has authorIzed authorized authorized author author- state officials to inform the public that these are his firm views on the subject Our revenue system may Inay have bave shortcomings and efforts to Improve Improve improve Im Im- im- im prove it through legislative processes processes pro pro- ceases are proper and commend commend- able But the preservation of our truly American system of self- self assessment assessment as as- and payment of taxes by the Individual Is vital to the continued existence of this Nation Russell C C. Harrington Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commis Commis- S said ld |